Building Better People...Involve Them

We may be asking ourselves “Why should I be involved in church?”. We may feel like we just want to do our thing and not be bothered. Unfortunately, this attitude has been all to common in the church.

Here’s the problem with this attitude…It never leads to growth! It leaves the church struggling and stagnant, and it never benefits a believer to sit idle on the sidelines.

You were not saved and called to be a spectator. It’s your privilege and responsibility to be involved in His kingdom. You have a purpose and a place, have you found yours?

1 Timothy 4:12–5:1 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

One of the greatest examples of discipleship is found with Timothy and Paul. Being involved in the life of the church doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a conscience decision on the part of the believer. We have to decide to grow, and decide how we’ll grow, and then what we’ll do with that growth.

Timothy Learned to Serve...

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

While many are pursuing a position, Timothy understood that character was more important than position.

Timothy knew that his walk would affect others around him.

He accepted that responsibility and made no excuses for his behavior!

Timothy Built a Foundation...

1 Timothy 4:13 NKJV

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 4

Till I come—when Timothy’s commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (1 Ti 1:3; 3:14).

reading—especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Lu 4:16–20; Ac 13:15; 15:21; 2 Co 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (1 Th 5:21, 27; Col 4:16), [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 1.67]. I think that while public reading is the prominent thought, the Spirit intended also to teach that Scripture reading in private should be “the fountain of all wisdom from which pastors ought to draw whatever they bring before their flock” [ALFORD].

exhortation—addressed to the feelings and will with a view to the regulation of the conduct.

doctrine—Greek (ministerial), “teaching” or instruction. Addressed to the understanding, so as to impart knowledge (1 Ti 6:2; Ro 12:7, 8). Whether in public or private, exhortation and instruction should be based on Scripture reading.

Timothy would seek training. He would be diligent to learn about the Lord and His kingdom. He built a relationship with the Lord and His people.

Timothy did not wait for position to come to him. He got up everyday and prepared for opportunity.

We all know that we need to be growing, position or not. We need to goals, and a system to achieve those goals.

Timothy Discovered His Gifts...

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Timothy understood that Holy Spirit had gifted him for the work of ministry.

Like everything else, we have a choice to make. To be used or not to be used? Paul warned Timothy of the latter...

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 4

Neglect not the gift—by letting it lie unused. In 2 Ti 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed (Mt 25:18, 25, 27, 28). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for “the work of an evangelist” (Eph 4:11; 2 Ti 4:5), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [BISHOP HINDS].

Identifying the gifts can help us to understand the “What and Why” of our calling. I can remember when I gave my heart to the Lord. A short time later I began having dreams of preaching and ministry. Once I identified that calling for ministry it was time for some school. Ministry was the goal, school was the system to reach that goal.

No matter what your “What and Why” is, there are going to be goals and systems involved. If I’m growing at all, I have goals and systems in place.

Timothy Chose to Follow...

1 Timothy 5:1 NKJV

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 4

Let no man despise thy youth—Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth (1 Co 16:11; Tit 2:15); compare “youthful” as to Timothy (2 Ti 2:22). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul (Ac 16:1–3). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul’s first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should “entreat as a father” (1 Ti 5:1), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining (1 Ti 3:1), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person (1 Ti 5:19).

As believers we’re compelled by God to be involved. But how we involve ourselves is critical. The work of God does not need position-oriented, ego-driven volunteers. Rather, as with every area of spiritual growth, the path must be carefully charted. We must learn servanthood, prioritize training, identify gifts, and value the experience of others. This will provide us with the principles necessary for successful participation in ministry!

Call to Action...

First of all…Choose to follow Jesus and learn to listen to His Holy Spirit. We grow in this through the Word and through Prayer.

Second of all…Find someone or a small group that you can learn from or along side of you. We cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of discipleship.

*Inspired by a sermon from Michael H. Clarensau